| Ufouria: The Saga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Sunsoft[a] |
| Publisher(s) | Sunsoft |
| Designer(s) | Ryōji Uchimichi |
| Programmer(s) | Masahito Nomura |
| Composer(s) | Naoki Kodaka |
| Series | Hebereke |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Entertainment System, Mobile phone, Nintendo Switch, Windows |
| Release | NES Mobile phone
|
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Ufouria: The Saga[b] is a 1991 action-adventure video game developed and published in Japan and Europe by Sunsoft for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It is the first entry in the Hebereke franchise, where almost every installment in the series features a completely different playstyle. Controlling a humanoid-looking character called Bop-Louie through an interconnected world, the game focuses on exploration and searching for items and power-ups in vein of Metroid and Blaster Master, fighting bosses and minibosses. During gameplay, the player locates the main character's three friends, each of which becomes a playable character and have unique skills that allow the player to reach previously inaccessible areas.
Designed by Ryōji Uchimichi, the game was developed at the Tokyo division of Sunsoft during a period where software houses needed a mascot to represent them. Due to their lack of series and wanting to establish its characters, Sunsoft decided to spawn the title into one. After its Japanese launch, plans for an international release were underway. Ufouria: The Saga was previewed and reviewed in magazines, in addition to being showcased in playable state to attendees at the 1991 WCES, but the North American localization was cancelled after Sunsoft of America did not approve the game due to its quirky character designs. It was released in Europe and Australia in 1992, featuring various alterations when compared with the original Japanese version such as a different story, and characters' names and sprites being changed. Because of a limited release, the European version has become quite in demand, and is considered a sought after item on the game collecting market.
Ufouria: The Saga received mixed reception at release on the NES; critics felt mixed in regards to the audiovisual presentation, low difficulty and gameplay, which drew comparison with Super Mario Bros. 2 due to each character possessing their own abilities, though its originality and use of passwords were commended. Retrospective commentary has been more positive and has since gained a cult following.
The game has since been re-released on numerous platforms and as download services, like the Virtual Console and PlayStation Network. A sequel to the game was released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in early March 2024. An enhanced port, under the name Hebereke: Enjoy Edition released on Switch and Steam later that month.
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